John Vazquez steals from Walmart store while wearing police gear

Lutz, Florida -- A man was arrested Monday evening for trying to steal from a Walmart store while wearing police gear.

Pasco County Sheriff's deputies were called to the store in the 1500 block of Land O' Lakes Boulevard after their loss prevention officer caught John Vazquez trying to steal a $200 pair of headphones and Sony ear buds.

The officer reported Vazquez, 26, was wearing a black tactical vest with "police" written in yellow on the front and back as well as a black leather gun belt. The officer said he first saw him passed out in the bathroom while wearing the vest, he then left and came back.

The officer then followed Vazquez around the store during his second visit and that's when he said he saw Vazquez pull the items off the shelves, bag them and pass by all the registers. The officer stopped him as he got to the exit doors.

While in his custody, the officer reported Vazquez told him the vest and gun belt were his father's and he was trying to impress a girl.

He was arrested and charged with falsely impersonating a law enforcement officer and retail theft.